Up for air

It is with a heavy sigh of relief and exhaustion that I share with you the only physical evidence from the past two weeks. A lonely photo taken from my iPhone. Thanksgiving was lovely. Spent in New England with my in-laws. The highlights being a date night in Boston which began with this champagne at our favorite bar (unfortunate new name not withstanding) and an amazing meal featuring shaved white truffles at our favorite restaurant.

Emerson was utterly smothered in love and affection from her extended family and I napped nearly every day. There really is nothing like a house full of people who want nothing more than to care for your baby and could care less if you are in the room or dozing in a recliner*. Thanks be to sister-in-laws with serious baby lust.

*It won't be winning any style awards and will never find a place in my home, but the Lazy Boy is the height of holiday comfort. I would have slept every night in that chair and taken every meal there, had I no dignity at all.

Love these

In my imagination, all my childhood memories look like this. Simple. Happy. All polka-dots, tiny hearts and tea parties. How I hope to create memories like this for my own daughter. Sarah Jane captures all the innocence of childhood in a lovely vintage style. She also has a great blog and now I've found another fabulous woman to stalk online - you know, in a good way.

All images via Sarah Jane Studios on Etsy.

Daydreaming

This lovely and strange world of blogs has captivated my imagination and many an afternoon filled with discovery and awe. I am constantly inspired by the creativity and passion that is shared through this ever-growing network. The sweet connections I have made through my brief presence often brings a smile to my face when I read a comment on my own posts or share in someone else's accomplishments.

Originally, this was to be a post about daydreaming. The act of which is close to my heart as it is my all time favorite pastime and it seems that I am not alone in my love of wandering thoughts. But now I see this is more about appreciation for this lovely community and for this medium which was inconceivable to me a decade ago and now I cannot imagine living without.

So I offer you two lovely ladies on this Friday. Melissa of Reverie-Daydream and Faith of of Leaves and Feathers. Melissa is hosting a generous giveaway at her shop Reverie (and three ways to enter). This is not to be missed. Her shop is filled with thoughtfully hand-crafted things (see two of my own wish list items below) and her blog is a reliable source of beauty and inspiration.

Lavender eye pillow and tea towels from Reverie.

Faith's recent post on daydreaming and the important role it plays in her creative process had me thinking all week. (I love when a post really sticks with you). And the painting it inspired is truly captivating. Also, check out her magical post on a lantern festival. Makes me wish I grew up in Brooklyn. This would be my kind of school for sure.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful weekend.

A good day

It's a big day around our household. Today my husband's second book was released - "No Size Fits All," co-authored with Michael Malone. His blog post about the difficulties of sharing information via the Internet in Cuba was also featured on Huffington Post earlier this week and...today is his birthday. Happy birthday, sweetie.

P.S. Two weeks ago his first book "Jump Point" hit number 40 on all of Amazon's books. That was a good day too.

Before and After: Chair Addition

I love a good 'before and after' so I had to share my little chair project. I removed the seat cushion, sanded the wood down and then used a bright glossy white spray paint on the entire chair. The fabric I originally chose was back ordered so I found this white/grey/mocha with a couple little pops of salmon upholstery fabric and I am in love with the finished product. It feels so fresh and sophisticated. I sort of can't believe I'll be sitting on it in the garage. 

The skirt and # 4 on the list

Don't let these photos fool you. This skirt is possibly the least flattering item of clothing Emerson has ever worn. I refashioned it from an old sundress and I thought it was adorable...until she put it on. And I am not alone when I say that it is nothing if not - dumpy. It's a little too long and with her buddha belly going on the waistline looks wrong wherever it sits on her body. I've been advised to try it again in a couple of years. Until then I'm happy to have finally dusted off the sewing machine. Now I'm inspired to sew her something that actually fits.

My kind of Halloween

No trick or treating for us this year, which was fine by me. Halloween has never been my holiday. Emerson wore her ladybug costume for an hour or so during our apple picking adventure. I'm guessing this is the last year I will be able to substitute fruit for handfuls of candy in her goodie bag.